Insanely jealous? Come on now. I just love it when I say that "I wouldn't want what you have except the better pay", and that sends you guys into a tailspin. It's like you all think you can walk on water and have the best situation around. Why again would I want multiple leg days in the same plane forever? I understand that FOR NOW you are the best paid pilots flying 737s. That is FANTASTIC for you, but not going to last forever. When the legacies get their acts together and the government allows labor to prevail (which is happening now with Becker being appointed to the NLRB) more often, legacy pay will go UP. Combine the better pay and more variety in routes, planes, trips, etc----the legacies will attract more pilots again like they did pre-9-11. SWA Captains were leaving for United pre-9-11----regardless of what you guys say---it happened.
You say a hotel is a hotel. That is what most SWA pilots say, since your trips don't allow for 24 hour layovers or as many downtown layovers. All you see is the hotel after your drunk stuper the night before thanks to the 1 2 3 rule. Since you have never experienced a longer, relaxing layover, then I can see why you don't understand. But wait, you may say "I would rather spend my time at home then on the road...." We have duty rigs that give us extra credit time for time away. Most of our 5 day trips to Hawaii are worth close to 30 hours---but only 20 of that is spent flying---a further 8 hours are credit, or free money. A 6 day trip to Europe is worth up to 40 hours with the credit. Do 2 of those a month, have up to 80 hours pay, 18 days off, and see Europe 4 times with nice layovers that have interesting things you CAN'T do in CLE or ISP. In the middle of that trip you fly to JFK, and have a Manhattan layover, which is great because everyone knows a special restaurant that makes their "favorite" meal. Can you see what I am talking about yet? You think a hotel is a hotel, and don't seem to care. (unless you are near your family in ISP) We have favorite places to go to see cool things, eat good food, etc, and not just for 12 hours. But to top it off, even our INTL category has domestic trips. If you do get tired of INTL flying, you can switch it up, fly a 3 or 4 day and see nice places like SAN, MIA, or BOS. It is all about variety, and the pay will come again, it is just a matter or time.
And, I am happy that you are happy with your job at WN. Great. It again amazes me that you guys get so riled up when someone states that he/she would not want what you have. But if you like ISP for your family, then by all means bid it and be happy. In the back of your mind though, you always know that ELP and LBB are somewhere out there, waiting for you. Regardless, you seem like a good guy, and I hope you do enjoy it there. Good luck to you.
Bye Bye--General Lee
